Montmorency Co. board scales back full-time positions

November 07, 2008|By Jil Schult, HT Staff Writer

MONTMORENCY COUNTY — In a continuing effort to balance the 2009 budget, the Montmorency County commissioners voted 4-1 during a special meeting Oct. 29 to cut seven full-time county positions to part-time and to not replace one full-time position at the sheriff’s department.

“No matter what, if we lose anybody, it’s going to be a detriment to the department,” said Montmorency County Sheriff Doug Baum. “We don’t have enough people now.”

According to Robert Goodall, Montmorency County coordinator, those affected by the cuts include the offices of treasurer, register of deeds, clerk, equalization, district court, probate court and prosecutor. The board also decided not to replace the appointed assistant prosecutor’s position.

The move cuts the full-time position from 35 hours per week, down to three days and 21 hours maximum.

The board’s decision, effective Feb. 1, 2009, comes as a result of the state cutting revenue sharing.

“Because of the state’s revenue sharing, we’re going to need approximately $200,000 per year,” Goodall added.

The employee cuts will save the county approximately $200,000, Goodall reported.

The February effective date will allow the new board to make adjustments if they see it differently, Goodall stated.

During the Oct. 22 county board meeting, Goodall resigned from the county coordinator position, effective Dec. 19.

“The board opted not to fund the coordinators position,” Goodall stated during a recent telephone interview. “But they haven’t said what they’re going to do. Under those circumstances, I submitted a letter of resignation. The board offered a window for retirement, I opted to exercise the window.”

Mary Muszynski, 88th District Court administrator, works for both Montmorency and Alpena counties.

“We have to go back to the drawing board because what they essentially did is eliminate a full-time position,” Muszynski said.

There have always been four full-time employees, she explained. What they actually did is lose one full-time employee. Muszynski said they have not named which employee would be cut.